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"Caoba," 8x10, commissioned pet portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, private collection.



"Molly," 8x10, commissioned pet portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, same private collection.

Each of these paintings is of a rescue - both hailing from Florida's Labrador Retriever Rescue. I can vouch for the sincere happiness behind the eyes of each of today's models. You can read more about their efforts at http://www.labradorrescue.net/.

Each of these paintings is dripping with luscious color. Coaba has greens and violets, and Molly is saturated with blues and pinks.

I noticed today when I was painting that I was subconsciously using a technique I've been practicing in my class - that of modelling with my brushwork. I'm using a bright, about a 1/4 to 1/2" wide, and by angling and changing the amount of pressure and direction, I'm able to lay down a variety of shapes in one brushstroke. This can be powerful if I have the brush loaded up with the correct color and value in the first place. It didn't always happen that way, but that's the beauty of acrylics. I just waited a few minutes for the one to dry, and started working on the other.

Thanks, as always, for looking.
And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family,
See you tomorrow!
Kim

Kimberly Kelly Santini
http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/
distinctive pet portraits
& 4-legged paintings

http://www.paintingadogaday.com/
come. sit. stay.
enjoy the art.

Founding member of the Canine Art Guild
http://www.canineartguild.com/
the gateway to canine art on the web

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